This is a common warning among many that sharing custody a pet after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such arrangements hinder ex-partners from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating for all parties. Seemingly, in a revelation suited to a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to feel down.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of our pets – pet parents speak of their profound sensitivity. If you need standout portrayal in pet despair, one need only look another performance. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog played by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult adapting to life in two homes. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom on this conflict holds water seems debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by director Swale, never aspires to be more profound than a light film. It functions as a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the depth is limited. Its storyline unfolds as simple and direct: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – featuring a group of comedic actors – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – as seen in fake snow piled on verdant foliage as a summer location doubles as the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
If these familiar elements merge into something enjoyable rests upon the execution and an acceptance of comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who seek out for pet content. Audiences receive a series of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is Merv himself, and while this leads to some awkward editing between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, pet moping, and, finally, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success cannot be applied for the human side of the story. The film's approach wavers between relationship drama, zany antics, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, never fully committing to a consistent feel. This is not Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward demanded of the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that offers much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna seems a touch too detached, particularly when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, the canine performer manages acting depressed – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, since the title character is by far the cutest element of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The reason for their original breakup might seem more nuanced with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting all its marks. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – though it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video on December 10th.
